1956 sitting 7 years, no spark

[JMEs1956TBird]

Good afternoon,

I inherited the car recently and trying to get it started after sitting for 7 years. New battery, New plugs, fresh oil and fresh gas. Have no spark. I installed a new cap and rotor, did not help. I have 12V coming out of the coil when the ignition is in the ON position. With a spark tester I have no spark coming out. I do not know what was done to the car prior to me getting it as anyone who would know is no longer with us.

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[SVGAL]

Did you also replace the condenser ?

 

[JMEs1956TBird]

I did not. Should I replace the coil as well?

 

[SVGAL]

Go cheap way first with condenser.

 

[Tom Alpers]

Install new points and condenser.

 

[ICON 56]

If this does not work try converting to rotor electronic ignition. Forget the points and condenser.

 

[JMEs1956TBird]

If this does not work try converting to rotor electronic ignition. Forget the points and condenser.

My only concern about doing that is that it is fully original.

 

[ICON 56]

It can be done.... I did my 64 Corvette.

 

[Tom Alpers]

You can check the points and coil by operating them manually with the cap off. Take the cap and rotor off. When the key is on the system will always have 12 volts, more or less, at the coil. From the coil a wire goes into the distributor and to the points. The points ground out the circuit each time they close. Each time it is grounded, current flows thru the coil to build up the field, then the points open and the field collapses causing a high voltage discharge from the large wire at the center of the coil. Pull that large wire off the cap so you can lay it near some metal (but not near any gas!). If the points are closed, open them by pushing against the nylon rubbing block and you should get a spark off the coil wire if the key is on. Or if the points are open, short them with a screwdriver tip and then remove it, it should spark when you remove the tip. There is also a short wire inside the distributor that acts as a ground wire between the plate the points are mounted on and the case of the distributor. If that wire is missing or broken you may not have a good ground to make this work.

 

[74 Harley]

I think you will find spark if you start by cleaning the points. Yes, you can replace them. But cleaning is faster. A little Emery cloth or fine sand paper between the contacts is all you need.